Mercedes-Benz has announced it will install a nine-speed automatic transmission in its European-spec face-lifted E350 BlueTec turbo-diesel models for the 2015 model year. The German automaker claims the new nine-speed, in conjunction with a stop-start system, will improve the E350 diesel’s combined fuel-economy rating—in the ever-optimistic European cycle—from 51.4 mpg when equipped with the outgoing seven-speed auto to 53.3 mpg.
Benz’s American arm has yet to announce which of its models will receive the new nine-speed automatic, but it’s likely the new gearbox will show up in 2015 CLS-class, which is due for a refresh. In the years following, we expect this transmission to slowly be adopted by much of MBUSA’s lineup.
- First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec Diesel
- Prototype Drive: 2015 Mercedes-Benz E400 Twin-Turbo V-6
- First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4MATIC
While the overall gains in efficiency are small, the move shows that automakers are willing to install more-expensive and more-complex gearboxes with an increasing number of ratios to achieve their fuel-economy targets and meet ever-more-stringent government regulations. Former Daimler “partner” Chrysler recently introduced its nine-speed auto in the new-for-2014 Jeep Cherokee, and Ford and General Motors have announced that they will co-develop 10-speed autoboxes for a variety of applications.
Source: CarAndDriver
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